Real Madrid held at home by solid Osasuna defence

Real Madrid dropped two vital points in their bid to for the La Liga title after failing to breach a well organised Osasuna defence. The home side did most of the attacking, but barring Karim Benzema's crossbar effort and the last 10-15 minutes of the contest, Osasuna were comfortable. Jagoba Arrasate's men played on the counter and could have actually won the game themselves when Jon Moncayola struck the crossbar early in the second half. 

'Los Blancos' came into the game knowing that Barca had beaten 1-0 at Rayo minutes earlier, but they failed to take full advantage of Barca's latest slip up. Ancelotti's men had the possession early on, but it took until the 22nd minute for their first chance of note. Eduardo Camavinga, who was given a start, was given the ball by Marco Asensio, but he could only find the sidenetting. It was a frustrating evening for the former Rennes man who was booked shortly afterwards for a foul on Torro. 

Vinicius once again showed signs of his quality and he curled an effort round the post just after the half hour mark, but the home side nearly fell behind from a set piece. The corner hit front man Kike Garcia on the leg and went wide of the goal. That was the away side's only chance of the half, but it was a sign Madrid needed to be alert. The half ended with more Madrid possession, but with very little to do for visiting keeper Sergio Herrera.

In the second period, Madrid continued to attack, but they so nearly conceded with 50 minutes on the clock. Osasuna won the ball from a Madrid counter through Chimy Avila, he squared for Moncayola in the box who struck Courtois' right hand post with the goalkeeper beaten. It was Osasuna's clearest opening of the match and Ancelotti's side were very lucky not to be trailing, 

Real Madrid kept on pressing, but Osasuna's solid defence kept them at bay. Then, in the 61st minute, Vinicius made a good move and he laid the ball off to Karim Benzema who found the crossbar with his effort. Madrid started running out of time and Madrid did very little until the final 10 minutes of the contest. The closing stages were Madrid's best minutes of the match, but it was no good. 

Casemiro very nearly scored a spectacular goal from his own half as he saw Sergio Herrera off his line, but, unlike against Granada on Friday, the effort went narrowly wide. Two minutes later, Rodrygo should have scored from a terrific Marcelo cross, but Rodrygo ran past the ball inside the six yard box. Marcelo then played a one-two with Vinicius in the 88th minute, but he hit across goal rather than towards it.

Ancelotti was unhappy that just four minutes were added on, but Real Madrid failed to create any chance of note in the extra minutes and they had to settle for a share of the spoils against the team from Pamplona. 

 

October 27, 2021